Our Current Initiatives
Our development approach for sustainable poverty alleviation is integrated and holistic. There is a strong emphasis on information poverty and increasing access to IT. We offer start-to-end solutions with extensive experience in the following: Community-based research and Engagement, local economic development, ICT access, infrastructure development and social development.
The following projects are the initiatives of our organisation in South Africa. We have the capacity to replicate programmes in any other region or country. We are enthusiastic to replicate successful initiatives, or initiate more projects that match our mission to increase prosperity for more Africans:
Eastern Cape Province
We facilitate property development in local communities and link community need to commercial interest. Uthango acts as consultant - as part of the professional team - in property developments - to ensure social gain for beneficiaries and effected community members.
We engage with various property developers and government stakeholders and invite an expression of interest to involve us with infrastructure development in communities.
Leader: Erna Sittig
During 2006/2007, we were asked by seven (7) organisations to assist with capacity-building and organisational development. Our methodology ensures an objective voice to the organisation and enable them to map their strategy in line with community needs.
Note: We are in the position to conduct external assessments for any CBO or NGO in Southern Africa to enhance reporting to donor agencies and community stakeholders.
Leader: Dorette Steenkamp
Together with the Wholesale and Retail SETA, we enhanced the business skills of 100 SMMEs in the province. Uthango was identified as one of the best delivery agents for micro-enterprise development during this process.
There was great enthusiasm about our involvement in the province. We view rural areas in Southern Africa as neglected in terms of socio-economic opportunities. We offer opportunities to the smallest enterprises in the form of basic business skills training.
Leader: Erna Sittig
Northern Cape Province
Together with the
Wholesale and Retail SETA, we enhanced the business skills of 100 SMMEs in the province.
We know that the provincial government of the Northern Cape has a strong vision with relation to poverty eradication.
There was great enthusiasm about our limited involvement in the province and we hope to have resources to provide more assistance. Rural areas in Southern Africa need to get more attention in terms of socio-economic opportunities.
Leader: Stephanie Roodt
Western Cape Province
UTHANGO developed a healthy working relationship with the University of Cape Town to supervise practical experience for Social Work students. We facilitated three short-term projects in 2007 and 2008 in the communities of Ocean View and Masiphumelele.
Third-year students complete their practical internship with our organisation, and deal primarily with youth interventions.
Explanatory Note: "Psychosocial refers to one's psychological development in the context of a social environment. It was first commonly used by psychologist Erik Erikson in his stages of social development". (WikiPedia)
Our psychosocial programmes aim to improve the quality of life of community members by assisting them to assume responsibility over their lives and to function as actively and independently in society as possible.
Leader: Erna Sittig
Together with the Wholesale and Retail SETA, we established a temporary office in Khayelitsha. We enhanced the business skills of 150 SMMEs in the Khayelitsha and Guguletu.
In this human settlement, we conducted the training from a old community centre, and one of the participants told us on the first day: "We were the forgotten ones on this side of Khayelitsha, but you have found us". It has inspired us to go where there is the least resources.
Leader: Dorette Steenkamp
This Award-wining project was concluded and evaluated in June 2005 and was recognised as Best Centennial Project for Sustainable Community Development (District 9350 covering Angola, Namibia and the Western-Southern Cape region of South Africa). It remains on the list of current initiatives due to an expansion phase - the establishment of a Community-Enterprise Park at Masiphumelele. The last development has been the request by the South-Peninsula Sub-Council of the City of Cape Town to move the initiative to Ocean View. Refer: Councillor Demetri Qually
We are dedicated to achieve the final objective of the project, namely to establish infrastructure for meaningful activities of community businesses and organisations. We thank Rotary Claremont for believing in this programme to change lives...
Leader: Dorette Steenkamp
International
Uthango uses social media in innovative ways and has group on Facebook, and staff members are encouraged to have active Twitter accounts.
We have created an active 3D platform at
Second Life to investigate the benefit of virtual worlds for Africa. We invest in this global development as it is estimated that 80% of internet users will also be active in one or another 'virtual world' (think about this as a 3D internet platform) by 2011.
Read more about the powerful initiative on our project blog,
Africa in Virtual Worlds. We also invite you to visit us in Second Life at our 3D Savannah simulated environment, called Virtual Africa.
Any organisation, professional or company interested in using new media (and particularly virtual worlds like Second Life) is welcome to contact Alanagh Recreant securely via the link beneath...
Let us help you expand your digitial footprint online for advocacy.
Leader: Alanagh Recreant
Uthango registered for Second Life in mid-2007 and has systematically created a region that's purpose fit for education about Africa.
Virtual Africa inSL is the project website and linked to more than one virtual world.
One of our annual international initiatives on the Second Life platform is Africa Day inSL. It was hosted in April 2008 by Orange Telecommunications, France. Read more about the event on the formal website of
ORANGE. A day long conference with speakers addressing digital divide, and exposure to African culture and music made the day and enormous success.
In addition, Uthango works with various educational institutions inSL to bring benefit to our clients in South Africa. The latest housing project was with the architectural students of the Delaware Technical and Community College in USA. Students developed prototypes (including concept sketches) of sustainable houses for informal settlements in Cape Town.
We also use the platform for educational purposes on African culture. It is increasingly well-placed as technology for public diplomacy and intercontinental collaboration.
Please also join our "Virtual Africa Community in Second Life"
Facebook Fan PageLeader: Dorette Steenkamp
We are concerned about the access to clean water and the plight of women/children in Africa to get water.
Uthango has the exclusive rights to market
Twala Amanzi water carriers internationally. These innovative waterbags are patented and improve the lives of people in rural areas considerably. It offers an ideal opportunity for CSI sponsorships.
Leader: Erna Sittig
We embark on a new campaign in 2010 with the award-winning design company,
SpringLeap and
BKB Africa. Watch this space! It will be one of our most exciting projects ever...
Leader: Dorette Steenkamp
National
We are currently assisting two (2) social investment departments of corporate business to identify and implement sustainable programmes in the Western Cape.
We align programmes to the corporate mandate and issue CSI Certificates on measurable contribution to Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment.
Any company is welcome to contact USI to implement its social investment agenda. If we believe in it, we will help.
Leader: Dorette Steenkamp
Our community audits have become very popular on a local level for planning by government and the corporate sector alike. USI brings a unique tool and methodology to the development arena and critically inform decisions around growth and access to the economy.
An Example:
Capricorn Business and Technology Park in Muizenberg, Cape Town was interested in the profile of communities adjacent to the Park. We offered our community profiling abilities and have conducted both a skills audit and an informal economy survey.
We were in a position to see how best to contribute to stimulate the local economy through job creation and skills training. A Small Grants programme was initiated to support local organisations.
Leader: Erna Sittig
If I had to sum up in one word the qualities that make a good manager, I'd say that it all comes down to decisiveness. You can use the fanciest computers in the world and you can gather all the charts and numbers, but in the end you have to bring all your information together, set up a timetable, and act.
- Lee Iacocca
